Livorno vs Pescara by Enzo

Livorno was close last season to enter the play-off rounds and fight further for promotion, however failed in the round of the regular season when the team got defeated away to Pescara 3:0. This season the target is to be as competitive as possible and try to challenge for promotion which surely remains their primary goal for the new season as well.

Coach Christian Panucci remained at his position, with everyone believing he has enough knowledge to lead the club to a better season. In the first official game of the new season Livorno needed extra time in order to overpower Ancona 2:0 in the first round of Italian Cup, while they got defeated in the second round against fresh Serie A side Carpi, once again after overtime with a 2:0 score. Goalkeeper Pinsoglio came from Modena, central defender Vergara from Avellino, midfielders Cazzola (Cesena), Schiavone from Modena and offensive players Fedato from Modena, Comi from Avellino and Pasquato from Pescara. Central defender Emerson is seriously injured and will miss five or four months, while injured are also central defender Gonnelli, defensive midfielder Biagianti and right winger Jelinic. Away on international duty are full back Maicon and already mentioned defender Vergara. Suspended for the season opener is midfielder Moscati.

Pescara was one of the teams that secured the play-off ticket thanks to a victory in the last round in previous season, exactly against Livorno with impressive 3:0 result in front of own fans. They were better than Perugia and Vicenza, but missed the promotion only due away goal rule in two legs clash against Bologna that finally promoted.

After losing promotion to Serie A in such unlucky way, Massimo Oddo signed a new contract and will lead the team in a new season as well. The team did quite well job during the transfer window, as they signed full back Campagnaro who previously played in Inter, but also striker Cocco who had a great previous season in Vicenza netting twenty goals and the team is considered as one of the early favorites to claim the promotion this time. They did well to overpower Sudtirol in the first official game with a 2:0 result, but Torino was simply too strong for them in the second round winning the game with a 4:1 result. Left full back Mignanelli is suspended, same as defensive midfielder Torreira and striker Lapadula. Defender Campagnaro is not ready yet, same as forwards Sansovini and Cocco. Defensive Vitturini and midfielders Memushaj, Mandragora and Mitrita are all four away on international duty.

Both teams will be looking for a promotion this season and will surely be playing offensive football. They both now have several important absences in the season opener, but overall do have very decent rosters, especially in midfield and attack. This is the main reason why I believe both teams to score and over goals have good chances today with plenty of value.